Keywords

Prostate cancer risk factors are mainly associated to an increase of oxidative stress (OS) related with ageing, genetics, recurrent inflammation, life style or carcinogens exposure as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These last one are ubiquitous environmental contaminants resultant from the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels such as tobacco, wood, diesel, or charbroiled [1, 2].

Our data demonstrated that PAHs can stimulate cell growth, in line with an increase of the S-phase of the cell cycle, and mitochondria membrane potential. These results are also concomitant with an increase in VEGF and HIF expression and ROS levels, usually implicated in cancer progression, suggesting that PAHs can contribute to a more aggressive prostate cancer phenotype.

Authors’ Affiliations

(1)

General Pathology Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal